Backplane wiring for hub in packet data communications system

Abstract

Abstract A backplane wiring scheme is provided for use in a hub of a packet data communications system. Line cards are connected to the backplane wiring arrangement in the hub, where each line card is a coupling to a network segment, a station or a to a bridge to other stations or segments. The connection is usually in either a ring or a bus topology, and increased flexibility, reduced power consumption, and easier implementation are provided by a unique wiring scheme. Each line card has a number of receive ports (e.g., N-1) and has two transmit ports, the transmit ports including a transmit-left port and a transmit-tight port. The receive ports and transmit ports are arranged in a regular linear pattern on an edge of each of said line cards. The line cards are inserted in backplane slots, and backplane wiring paths are configured diagonally between ports Of the cards to connect the transmit-left ports of the line cards to receive ports of line cards to the left and to connect the transmit-right ports of the line cards to receive ports of line cards to the tight. When the transmit-left port and the transmit-tight port of each of the line cards are connected together, the line cards are thereby configured as a bus. When only the transmit-left port and a top one of the receive ports are activated for all of the line cards, and the transmit-tight port of only the left-most line card, are activated, the line cards are thereby configured as a ring.

Inventors

• 👤 Nigel T. Poole

Bibliographic Details